Enter the sensational world of Cuban cuisine, which blends the spices of Spain, the tropical tastes of the Caribbean, a strong African influence, and some new-world spices to boot. You don't have to be a professional cook to make these extraordinary recipes, and you definitely don't need to be Cuban to cook and eat them. But don't be surprised if you develop a yen to visit the Cuban neighborhoods of Miami as you savor the mouth-watering flavors of Cuban cooking. The recipes in this book represent twenty years of experimentation by the Three Guys, with a lot of trial and error and refinement to make them uniquely their own. Many of the recipes were created "from scratch" by the Three Guys after enjoying a meal at a restaurant and trying to duplicate it in their own kitchens. Some are long-time family favorites from Cuba, reinterpreted to take advantage of the abundance of food and ingredients in Miami. All the recipes include a special ingredient: a heaping tablespoon of humor. As the Three Guys say, "If we're not having fun in the kitchen, we're not doing anything in the kitchen!" Three Guys From Miami are all brothers-in-law. Brought together by fate, they became fast friends who share a passion for good food, good conversation, and a great party. Glenn Lindgren first came to Miami in 1984 and fell in love with the city, the people, and Cuban culture. A freelance writer by profession, Glenn documents the antics of the Three Guys from Miami in books and on the Internet. When not in Miami, Glenn lives in Minnesota with his wife, two daughters, and a son. Raul Musibay, born in Cayo la Rosa, near Bauta, in the province of Havana, spent one winter in New Jersey but has been a full-time Miami resident ever since. He and his wife have two married children. Book jacket. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

This cookbook boasts solid renditions of Cuban dishes, but readers will have to suffer through the cheesy repartee among its three authors, who have a Cuban culture Web site, www.iCuban.com. A brief introduction entices with information about Cuban migration to Miami, but margin notes to the recipes tend toward repetitious and obvious exchanges. A recipe for Fried Stuffed Potatoes, for example, begins with Raúl commenting, "This is one Cuban snack that if you haven't tried, you probably don't know what in the heck it is." Still, the food itself is alluring. Avocado and Pineapple Salad is refreshingly unusual, and marinating Cuban-Style Skirt Steak in a mix of onion, herbs and sour orange juice before grilling delivers maximum flavor with minimal work. The authors nicely cover savory snacks like Cornmeal Pancakes, numerous types of empanadas, and Plantain Chips. They also remain true to authentic Cuban cuisine by not skimping on the frying, though fat-phobic Americans will probably avoid the Fried Pork Chunks. Occasionally the recipes slip into a cutesy tone (one for Cuban Bread cheerleads, "it's a little sticky, but you can do it!" then begins a later step with, "When you return from the pool..."). Overall, this effort stands out less because of its appeal than because it has so few competitors. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

The titular "three guys" are three brothers-in-law: Raúl Musibay and Jorge Castillo, who were both born in Cuba, and Lindgren, a Minnesotan who spends as much time as possible in Miami. They have an immensely popular web site, iCuban.com, devoted to Cuban food and culture. In their first book, they present many of their favorite recipes and stories. Lindgren is the writer, but the three share a somewhat wacky sense of humor (as documented in some of the photographs here). However, their book includes a lot of culinary and social history, along with 100 recipes for both traditional Cuban dishes and more contemporary variations. Numerous color photographs and an attractive design add to the appeal. One of the few recent titles on the subject, this is strongly recommended. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Jorge Castillo was born and raised in Cayo la Rosa, Havana. He came to the United States via the Mariel Boatlift in 1980. He now lives in Miami's West Dade with his wife and two daughters Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Introduction	xi
Drinks	1
Cafe Cubano-Cuban Coffee	2
Cuba Libre-Rum and Coke	4
Mojito-Rum Drink	5
Ponche Habana Para Los Ninos-Havana Punch for Kids	6
Papa Hemingway-Daiquiri	8
Appetizers	11
Bollitos	12
Croquetas de Jamon-Ham Croquettes	14
Croquetas de Papas y Jamon-Potato and Ham Croquettes	16
Empanadas-Cuban Pastries (Baked Dough)	18
Empanadas-Cuban Pastries (Fried Dough)	20
Empanadas de Pollo-Chicken Empanadas	22
Empanadas de Pollo y Queso-Chicken and Cheese Empanadas	24
Empanadas de Camarones-Shrimp Empanadas	26
Empanadas de Carne Asada-Beef Empanadas	27
Empanadas de Cangrejo-Crab Empanadas	28
Empanadas de Jamon or Chorizo-Ham or Sausage Empanadas	29
Empanadas de Carne y Cebolla-Beef and Onion Empanadas	30
Focaccia Cubana-Cuban Focaccia	32
Frituras de Malanga-Malanga Fritters	34
Mariquitas-Chips	36
Mariquitas Salsa-Sauce for Chips	38
Papa Rellena-Fried Stuffed Potatoes	40
Tamales de Carne de Cerdo-Pork Tamales	44
Salads	49
Ensalada Cubana Tipica-Typical Cuban Salad	50
Ensalada de Aguacate y Pina-Avocado and Pineapple Salad	52
Ensalada de Garbanzos-Cuban Garbanzo Bean Salad	54
Ensalada de Pollo-Chicken Salad	56
Soups	58
Ajiaco Criollo-Country-Style Stew	60
Caldo Gallego-White Bean Soup	62
Fabada Asturiana-Hearty Spanish Bean Soup	64
Gazpacho de Glenn y Jorge-Glenn and Jorge's Cuban Gazpacho	66
Guisado de Chorizo y Papas-Chorizo and Potato Stew	68
Potaje de Frijoles Colorados-Red Bean Potage	70
Sopa de Ajo-Garlic Soup	72
Sopa de Chicharos-Cuban Split Pea Soup	74
Sopa de Platanos-Plaintain Soup	76
Sopa de Pollo-Chicken Soup	78
Sandwiches	81
Arepas-Cornmeal Pancakes	82
Elena Ruz-Cuban Turkey Sandwich	84
Pan con Lechon-Roast Pork Sandwich	85
Frita Cubana-Cuban Hamburger	86
Glenn's Not-So-Secret Sauce	87
Sandwich Cubano-Cuban Sandwich	88
Medianoche-Midnight Sandwich	90
Eggs	93
Huevos a la Flamenco-Flamenco-Style Eggs	94
Huevos Habaneros-Havana Eggs	96
Pastel de Chorizo-Cuban Chorizo Pie	98
Meat	101
Ajies Rellenos-Stuffed Green Peppers	102
Albondigas-Cuban Meatballs	104
Arroz con Pollo-Chicken with Rice	106
Bistec Empanizado-Cuban Breaded Steak	108
Bistec de Palomilla-Palomilla Steak	110
Boliche-Cuban Pot Roast	112
Carne Guisado-Cuban Beef Stew	114
Churrasco Estilo Cubano-Cuban-Style Skirt Steak	116
Cordero en Salsa de Vino Rojo-Lamb Shanks in Red Wine Sauce	118
Lechon Asado-Roast Pork	120
Masitas de Puerco Fritas-Fried Pork Chunks	122
Picadillo-Cuban-Style Hash	124
Picadillo con Papas-Picadillo with Potatoes	126
Pollo Asado al Ajillo-Garlic Roasted Chicken	128
Pollo Agridulce-Sweet and Spicy Chicken	130
Pollo de Guayaba Dulce-Sweet Guava Chicken	132
Rabo Encendido-Oxtail Stew	134
Ropa Vieja-Shredded Beef	136
Tasajo-Dried Beef	138
Vaca Frita-Fried Beef	140
Seafood	143
Camarones y Arroz Amarillo-Shrimp and Yellow Rice	144
Bacalao a la Certo-Baked Codfish	146
Enchilado de Mariscos-Seafood Creole	148
Paella Cubana-Three Guys Cuban-Style Paella	150
Pargo Entero Frito con Salsa de Mango-Snapper with Mango Salsa	154
Pescado de Habana-Grilled Fish Havana-Style	156
Picadillo de Pescado-Cuban Fish Hash	158
Salmon de Raul a la Parilla-Raul's Salmon Grilled in Foil	160
Side Dishes	163
Arroz Imperial-Imperial Rice	164
Calabaza a la Parilla-Calabaza on the Grill	167
Chimichurri-Sauce for Meat	168
El Arroz Blanco Mas Sabroso-The Ultimate White Rice	170
Frijoles Negros-Black Beans	172
Fufu-Mashed Plantains	174
L.A. Garlic Sauce	176
Mojo-Cuban Marinade	178
Moros y Cristianos-Moors and Christians	180
Pan Cubano-Cuban Bread	182
Papas Aplastadas-Crushed Potatoes	186
Papas Brava-Spanish Potatoes	188
Platanos Maduros-Fried Sweet Plantains	190
Yuca con Ajo-Yuca with Garlic Sauce	191
Salsa Criolla-Creole Sauce	192
Tostones-Fried Green Plantain	194
Desserts	197
Arroz con Leche-Rice Pudding	198
Cake de Ron-Rum Cake	200
Dulce de Leche Salsa-Caramel Sauce	203
Flan-Cuban Custard	204
Natilla-Cuban Pudding	206
Tocinillo de Cielo-Heavenly Custard	208
Tres Leches Cake-Three Milks Cake	210
Variation: Banana Tres Leches Cake	212
Variation: Cuatro Leches Cake	212
Cuban Food Glossary	215
Sources	224
About the Authors	226
Index	228

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.